ARE WE PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?

Readings for Sunday, July 2, 2023

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time     Lectionary: 97

Qari tat-Tlettax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1                 2nd KINGS 4:8-11, 14-16a

One day Elisha came to Shunem, where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he used to stop there to dine. So she said to her husband, "I know that Elisha is a holy man of God. Since he visits us often, let us arrange a little room on the roof and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there." Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight. Later Elisha asked, "Can something be done for her?" His servant Gehazi  nswered, "Yes! She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years." Elisha said, "Call her." When the woman had been called and stood at the door, Elisha promised, "This time next year you will be fondling a baby son."

Qari 1                 mit-Tieni Ktieb tas-Slaten 4, 8-11.14-16a

Ġurnata waħda Eliżew kien għaddej minn Sunem. Hawn kienet toqgħod mara għanja, u din ġagħlitu joqgħod jiekol għandha; u kull meta kien jgħaddi minn hemm kien idur għal għandha biex jiekol hemm. U hi qalet lil żewġha: “Ara, jien żgura li dan ir-raġel, li jgħaddi għandna sikwit, hu raġel qaddis ta’ Alla. Ħa ntellgħulu għorfa fuq is-setaħ, u nqegħdulu fiha sodda, mejda, siġġu u mnara, u meta jgħaddi għandna, ikun jista’ jidħol fiha”.  U ġurnata waħda wasal hemm, u daħal fl-għorfa, u raqad hemm. U Eliżew qal lil Ġeħażi, il-qaddej tiegħu: “X’nistgħu nagħmlulha lil din il-mara?”. U Ġeħażi wieġbu: “Jaħasra, ma għandhiex tfal, u żewġha xiħ!”. U wieġbu: “Sejħilha”. U dak sejħilha u ġiet fil-bieb. U Eliżew qalilha: “Bħal dan iż-żmien sena, int tkun tħaddan iben”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever,
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever;"
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

You are the splendour of their strength,  
and by your favour our horn is exalted.
and to the Holy One of Israel, our king.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

For to the LORD belongs our shield,

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 88 (89), 2-3.16-17.18-19

R/. (2a): It-tjieba tal-Mulej irrid dejjem ngħanni

It-tjieba tal-Mulej irrid dejjem ngħanni;
f’kull żmien ixandar fommi l-fedeltà tiegħek.
Għax jien għedt: “Tjubitek tibqa’ sħiħa għal dejjem;
bħas-smewwiet int wettaqt il-fedeltà tiegħek”. R/.

Hieni l-poplu li jaf jgħajjat bil-ferħ,
li jimxi, Mulej, fid-dawl ta’ wiċċek.
B’ismek jithennew il-jum kollu,
u bil-ġustizzja tiegħek jifirħu. R/.

Għax inti l-foħrija tal-qawwa tagħhom;
għal tjubitek nerfgħu rasna fl-għoli.
Għax il-Mulej it-tarka tagħna,
il-Qaddis ta’ Iżrael is-sultan tagħna. R/.

Reading 2                ROMANS 6:3-4, 8-11

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. Alleluia

Qari 2                 mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 6, 3-4.8-11

Ħuti, ma tafux li aħna lkoll li tgħammidna fi Kristu Ġesù, tgħammidna fil-mewt tiegħu? Indfinna miegħu fil-mewt permezz tal-magħmudija sabiex kif Kristu kien imqajjem mill-imwiet permezz tal-qawwa glorjuża tal-Missier, hekk aħna ngħixu ħajja ġdida. Jekk aħna mitna ma’ Kristu, nemmnu wkoll li għad ngħixu ma’ Kristu. Nafu li Kristu qam mill-imwiet u ma jmutx aktar; il-mewt ma għadhiex taħkem fuqu. Hu li miet, miet darba għal dejjem għad-dnub; u issa li qiegħed jgħix, qiegħed jgħix għal Alla. Hekk ukoll intom għandkom tqisu lilkom infuskom mejtin għad-dnub, iżda ħajjin għal Alla fi Kristu Ġesù.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 10:37-42

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward,and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple— amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

Evanġelju                Qari skond San Mattew 10, 37-42

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lill-appostli tiegħu: “Min iħobb lil missieru jew lil ommu iżjed minni ma jistħoqqlux li jkun miegħi; min iħobb lil ibnu jew lil bintu iżjed minni ma jistħoqqlux li jkun tiegħi. U min ma jerfax salibu u jimxi warajja ma jistħoqqlux li jkun miegħi. Min isib lil ħajtu, jitlifha; u min jitlef lil ħajtu minħabba fija jsibha. Min jilqa’ lilkom jilqa’ lili, u min jilqa’ lili jkun jilqa’ lil dak li bagħatni. Min jilqa’ profeta għax hu profeta, ħlas ta’ profeta jieħu; u min jilqa’ bniedem ġust għax hu ġust, ħlas ta’ wieħed ġust jieħu. U kull min jagħti mqar tazza ilma frisk lil xi ħadd minn dawn l-iżgħar għax hu dixxiplu, tassew ngħidilkom li ma jitlifx il-ħlas tiegħu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight -minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr. Tony Kadavil 

OUR 

WITNESSING 

MISSION

Introduction: 

The common theme of today’s readings is the witnessing mission given to Christ’s followers to love God and our brothers and sisters through hospitality, generosity, commitment in humble service, and the practice of corporal and spiritual works (acts) of mercy (charity). The readings also remind us of the sacrifice demanded of Jesus’ disciples and the suffering they will endure for their Faith when they bear witness to Jesus. 

Scripture lessons: 

In our first reading, we see, the welcome given to the prophet Elisha by an elderly, childless couple who lived in Shunem. The wife recognized the holiness of Elisha. She showed him reverence and hospitality by inviting him to dine with her and her husband and by arranging an upper room of their house so that Elisha might stay with them when he visited the area. In response, Elisha promised her, “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.” The promise was fulfilled by God. 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 89), reminds us that we are the children of God Who tells us, “My mercy[kindness] is established forever.” The second reading, taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans, explains why those who care for the followers of Jesus are caring for Jesus himself, and those who show hospitality to any one of them are eligible for a reward. By our Baptism, we have been baptized into Jesus’ death and buried with him, and we look forward to our resurrection with him (Rom 6:5). 

Since Baptism is our entrée into this new life, it makes us part of the Body of Christ, and Christ is truly present in us. That is why the one who welcomes us welcomes Christ and becomes eligible for a reward. Today’s Gospel lesson concludes Jesus’ great “missionary discourse” in which he instructs the twelve apostles on the cost and the reward of the commitment required of a disciple. 

The first half of these sayings of Jesus details the behaviour expected of his disciples, and the second half speaks of the behaviour expected of others towards the disciples. Jesus assures his disciples that whoever shows them hospitality will be blessed. Those who receive Jesus receive the One who sent him. Also, those who help the “little ones,” (believers) and the poor, the sick, and the needy will be amply rewarded.

Life message: 

We need to be hospitable and generous: Hospitality means acknowledging the presence of God in others and serving Him in them, especially those in whom we least expect to find Him. We, as individuals and as a community, are to look for opportunities to be hospitable–and, of course, there are plenty of ways of offering hospitality. Maybe hospitality is offered through a kind word to a stranger – or even a smile. A kind smile or a “hello” to someone waiting with us in a grocery line may be the only kindness that person encounters all day. 

We become fully alive as Christians through the generous giving of ourselves. What is more important than the sending of checks for charitable causes is the giving of ourselves to people, primarily in the way we think about them, for from that spring will flow the ways we speak to them and about them, forgive their failings, encourage them, show them respect, console them, and offer them help. Such generosity reflects warmth radiating from the very love of God.

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DO NOT FEAR!

 Readings for Sunday, June 25, 2023

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 94

Tnax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1              JEREMIAH 20:10-13

Jeremiah said: "I hear the whisperings of many: 'Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!' All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. 'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.' But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting,  unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!" 

Qari 1                mill-Ktieb tal-Profeta Ġeremija 20, 10-13

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġeremija qal: Ma nismax ħlief taqsis il-kotra; biża’ madwari kollu! “Ixluh! Ħa nixluh!”. Jgħajtu saħansitra ħbiebi kollha, ifittxu l-qerda tiegħi: “Għandu mnejn jitqarraq u negħlbuh; ta’ kollox nitħallsu  minnu!”.  Il-Mulej miegħi bħal raġel qalbieni, għalhekk dawk li jagħmlu għalija jogħtru, ma jagħmlu xejn,jitħawdu bis-sħiħ, għax ħsiebhom ma jseħħx; għajb għalihom li ma jintesa qatt. Int, Mulej tal-eżerċti, li ġġarrab il-ġust, li tara l-ġewwieni u l-qalb, ħallini nara l-vendetta tiegħek kontrihom, għax f’idejk ħallejt il-kawża tiegħi. Għannu lill-Mulej, faħħru lill-Mulej, għaliex ħajjet l-imsejken ħelisha minn id il-ħżiena. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej 

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother's children,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness;
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!''
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 68 (69), 8-10.14.17.33-35

R/. (14ċ): Fil-kobor ta’ tjubitek weġibni, O Alla

Minħabba fik qiegħed nilqa’ t-tmaqdir,
u l-mistħija tiksili wiċċi.
Sirt barrani għal ħuti,
ulied ommi ma jagħrfunix.
Għax il-ħeġġa għal darek fnietni,
it-tagħjir ta’ min jgħajjar lilek waqa’ fuqi. R/.

Imma jien lilek nitlob, Mulej;
fil-kobor ta’ tjubitek
u skond il-wegħda tas-salvazzjoni tiegħek.
Weġibni, Mulej, għax mill-aħjar tjubitek;
dur lejja fil-kobor tal-ħniena tiegħek. R/.

meta jogħġbok, o Alla, weġibni,

Hekk jaraw l-imsejkna u jifirħu;
u tagħmlu l-qalb, intom li tfittxu lil Alla.
Għax jisma’ l-fqajrin il-Mulej,
ma jistmellx l-imjassrin tiegħu.
Ifaħħruh is-sema u l-art,
l-ibħra u kull ma jitħarrek fihom. R/.

Reading 2                ROMANS 5:12-15

Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned— for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.

Qari 2                 mill-ittra lir-Rumani 5, 12-15

Ħuti, kien permezz ta’ bniedem wieħed li fid-dinja daħal id-dnub, u permezz tad-dnub il-mewt, u hekk il-mewt laħqet il-bnedmin kollha, għax kollha dinbu. Kienet għadha ma waslitx il-Liġi, id-dnub kien ġa fid-dinja: imma d-dnub ma kienx magħdud, ladarba Liġi ma kienx hemm. Madankollu l-mewt saltnet ukoll minn Adam sa Mosè, mqar fuq dawk li ma waqgħux fid-dnub li fih kien waqa’ Adam, li kien xbieha ta’ dak li kellu jiġi. Imma d-don mhuwiex bħall-ħtija. Għax jekk permezz ta’ ħtija waħda mietet il-kotra, aktar u aktar issa l-grazzja ta’ Alla u d-don mogħti bil-grazzja ta’ bniedem wieħed li hu Ġesù Kristu, xterdu bil-bosta fuq il-kotra. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                MATTHEW 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

Evanġelju               Qari skond San Mattew 10, 26-33

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lill-Appostli tiegħu: “La tibżgħux millbnedmin. Għax xejn ma hu mgħotti li ma jinkixifx, u xejn ma hu moħbi li ma jsirx magħruf. Dak li jien ngħidilkom fid-dlam għiduh fid-dawl, u dak li ngħidilkom f’widnejkom xandruh minn fuq il-bjut. U tibżgħux minn dawk li joqtlu l-ġisem bla ma jistgħu joqtlu r-ruħ; imma aktar ibżgħu minn dak li jista’ jeqred kemm ir-ruħ u kemm il-ġisem flinfern. Żewġ għasafar tal-bejt mhux b’ħabba jinbiegħu? U b’danakollu anqas wieħed minnhom ma jaqa’ fl-art mingħajr ir-rieda ta’ missierkom. Intom imbagħad sax-xagħar ta’ raskom kollu hu magħdud. Mela xejn la tibżgħu; intom aqwa minn ħafna għasafar tal-bejt. Kull min jistqarr quddiem il-bnedmin li hu miegħi, jien ukoll nistqarr li jiena miegħu quddiem Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet. Iżda min jiċħad lili quddiem il-bnedmin, jien ukoll niċħad lilu quddiem Missieri li hu fis-smewwiet”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

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Eight -minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr. Tony Kadavil                                 

“Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than any sparrow.” 

Introduction:

Our Scripture readings for this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time challenge us to preach Christ through our words and lives without fear.

Scripture lessons summarized: 

The first reading tells us how the prophet Jeremiah trusted in the power of God while he faced opposition for his prophetic ministry. He was intimidated by attacks upon his character, but he was unafraid to speak out in the name of the Lord. The psalmist in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 69) trusts in God when he is misunderstood and ill-treated even by his brothers and relatives. In the second reading, Paul assures the Christians in Rome that they need not be afraid of opposition both because they share in the death of Jesus and because they are united with Christ, the new Adam, in his Resurrection.

Sunday’s Gospel passage is taken from the end of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples as he sends them forth to carry on his mission of preaching and healing. He asks them to live simple lives and to expect opposition and rejection. After having foretold future opposition and persecution, Jesus encourages his disciples to stand firm. Three times they are urged, “Do not fear!” “Do not be afraid!” Instead of shrinking from their task, they are to proclaim the Gospel boldly because they will be protected, just as Jeremiah was assured of God’s protection.

Hence, Jesus commands his disciples not to fear their persecutors. He presents before them the image of the sparrow to reinforce the disciples’ trust and hope in God. The readings hint at the opposition we future Christians will encounter as we carry on the work of Jesus in the world, and they encourage us to persevere in doing the work of Jesus. They assure us that we will be successful, despite the opposition we encounter.

Life messages: 

We need not be afraid because our life is in the hands of a loving God. Sometimes we are afraid that we will make a wrong decision. At other times, we are afraid of what others will think when we speak up for Jesus. We are afraid of what the future will bring to our children. We are also afraid of growing old. Sometimes we are afraid of what declining health will bring us. 

At the root of these fears is the fear of loss. Every fear we have is grounded in the knowledge that we have something or someone to lose. I can lose my job, family, house, money, reputation, health, and even life itself. Rejection and loss are the basis of our fears. But we forget one thing: whatever trouble or crisis affects us, we know that God understands it better than we ourselves do. 

Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what is happening. What a release from fear it is to know that God is with us; that our life is in the hands of a loving God! The next time fear grips us we need to remember that being faithful to Christ wherever we meet him in this life is much more important than our fear of loss or rejection by others. Also, let us take a moment to recall some of the great promises of God. 

Let us remind ourselves that God cares – we are each a dear child of His, and He cares for each of us. “Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” The last verse of Psalm 27 sums it up nicely: “Trust in the Lord. Have Faith; do not despair. Trust in the Lord.”

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GOD'S GIVEN GIFTS

Readings for Sunday, June 18, 2023

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 91

Ħdax-il Ħadd taż-Żmien ta’ Matul is-Sena

Reading 1              EXODUS 19:2-6a

In those days, the Israelites came to the desert of Sinai and pitched camp. While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain, Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself.  Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 19, 2-6a

F’dak iż-żmien, wara li refgħu t-tined, minn Rafidim ulied Iżrael waslu fid-deżert tas-Sinaj u waqqfu t-tined fid-deżert. Iżrael waqqaf it-tined hemm, biswit il-muntanja. Mosè tala’ ħdejn Alla, u l-Mulej sejjaħlu mill-muntanja u qallu: “Dan għid lil dar Ġakobb u għarraf lil ulied Iżrael: “Rajtu intom x’għamilt lill-Eġizzjani, u kif lilkom ġarrejtkom fuq il-ġwienaħ tal-ajkli u ressaqtkom lejja. Issa, jekk tisimgħu leħni u żżommu l-patt tiegħi, intom tkunu l-wirt tiegħi minn fost il-popli kollha, għax l-art kollha tiegħi. Intom tkunu għalija saltna ta’ qassisin u ġens qaddis””. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm               PSALM 100:1-2, 3, 5

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
    serve the LORD with gladness;

    come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Know that the LORD is God;
    he made us, his we are;
    his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

The LORD is good:
 his kindness endures forever,
 and his faithfulness to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.  

Salm Responsorjali               Salm 99 (100), 2.3.5
R/. (3c): Aħna l-poplu tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tal-mergħa tiegħu  

Għajtu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej, nies kollha tal-art,
aqdu bil-ferħ lill-Mulej,
idħlu quddiemu b’għana ferrieħi. R/.

Kunu afu li Jaħweh hu Alla,
hu ħalaqna u aħna tiegħu,
aħna l-poplu tiegħu u n-nagħaġ tal-mergħa tiegħu. R/.

Għax twajjeb il-Mulej,
għal dejjem it-tjieba tiegħu;
minn żmien għal żmien il-fedeltà tiegħu. R/.

Reading 2               ROMANS 5:6-11   

Brothers and sisters: Christ, while we were still helpless,  yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Qari 2               mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lir-Rumani 5, 6-11

Ħuti, meta aħna konna bla saħħa, Kristu, meta wasal iż-żmien, miet għall-ħżiena. Bilkemm wieħed imut għal wieħed tajjeb, għad li wieħed għandu mnejn jagħmel il-qalb u jmut għal wieħed ġeneruż.  Iżda Alla wriena l-imħabba tiegħu meta Kristu miet għalina, aħna li konna għadna midinbin. Kemm aktar u aktar issa li aħna ġġustifikati b’demmu, insalvaw permezz tiegħu mill-korla ta’ Alla!  Jekk meta konna għadna għedewwa ta’ Alla tħabbibna miegħu bis-saħħa tal-mewt ta’ Ibnu, kemm iktar issa, li aħna ħbieb miegħu, insalvaw permezz tal-ħajja tiegħu? Mhux hekk biss, imma niftaħru wkoll f’Alla b’Sidna Ġesù Kristu li permezz tiegħu ksibna din il-ħbiberija.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Gospel                 MATTHEW 9:36—10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them  because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest  to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.  Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Evanġelju                Qari skond San Mattew 9, 36 – 10, 8

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù ra n-nies u tħassarhom, għax kienu mdejqa u mitluqa bħal nagħaġ bla ragħaj. Imbagħad qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: “Il-ħsad huwa kbir, iżda l-ħaddiema ftit. Itolbu mela lil Sid il-ħsad biex jibgħat ħaddiema għall-ħsad tiegħu”.   Sejjaħ lejh it-tnax-il dixxiplu tiegħu, u tahom is-setgħa fuq l-ispirti ħżiena biex ikeċċuhom, u jfejqu kull xorta ta’ mard u ’l kull min kien nieqes minn saħħtu. L-ismijiet tat-tnax-il appostlu huma dawn: l-ewwel Xmun, jgħidulu Pietru, u ħuh Indrì, u Ġakbu ta’ Żebedew, u ħuh Ġwanni, Filippu u Bartilmew, Tumas u Mattew il-pubblikan, Ġakbu ta’ Alfew, u Taddew, Xmun il-Kanani, u Ġuda l-Iskarjota, li mbagħad ittradieh. Lil dawn it-tnax Ġesù bagħathom b’dawn l-ordnijiet: “Taqbdux triq il-pagani, u tidħlux f’belt tas-Samaritani; imma qabel xejn morru fittxu n-nagħaġ il-mitlufa tad-dar ta’ Iżrael. Intom u sejrin, xandru u għidu li s-Saltna tas-Smewwiet waslet. Fejqu l-morda, qajmu l-mejtin, fejqu l-lebbrużi, keċċu x-xjaten. B’xejn ħadtu, b’xejn agħtu”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   

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A Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr. Tony Kadavil 

WE ARE SENT TO TRANSFORM OTHERS

Introduction: 

The main theme of today’s readings is that we are commissioned or sent, to transform others with the “Good News” of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus His Son. 

Scripture lessons: 

The first reading gives Israel the good news that the God of Mount Sinai loves and cares for his people. God showed His continuing care for Israel by liberating the people from slavery in Egypt and by offering them a relationship in which they would be God’s “special possession,”-- “a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” 

Paul, in Sunday’s second reading, reflects on how Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection made manifest God’s love and care for mankind. According to Paul, the greatest proof of God’s love and care for us is Jesus’ willingness to die on behalf of sinful mankind and so make possible a new and better relationship with God. 

Today’s Gospel is, in effect, a reminder from God to each one of us: “You have received grace and talents from Me without charge, and so you have to give without charge through your simple, responsible, sharing lives.” This is indeed the core of the priestly vocation and of the vocation of every Christian through his or her Baptism. 

Up to this point in the story, Jesus himself was the focus of the healing, teaching, and controversy. With the commissioning of his disciples, others began to assume some of the responsibility for the new movement that heralded the kingdom of God. That new movement was destined to grow later, with increasing diversity, as it extended beyond the borders of Galilee, into Gentile territory, becoming the Universal Christian Church.

Life Messages: 

    1) Be Jesus-Presenters: Jesus continues to be active in our lives through the Bible and the Sacraments. In addition, the Lord God gives us the Holy Spirit, the One Who teaches us, and reminds us of all that Jesus has said to us. We are invited to become one with God and Jesus, and to let the Holy Spirit work through us. We are asked to perform the works of Jesus, and through these works to reveal the power and character of God to the world. If we accept this invitation and live it out wholeheartedly, with God’s grace people will look at us and say, “Jesus”

    2) Be healers in the modern world: People are sick in body as well as mind. As Christians sharing Jesus’ mission, we can bring healing and wholeness to people with whom we come into contact. Although we cannot raise the dead, we can help people to recover interest and a zest for living. People can be physically alive but dead in many other respects. 

    
“Cleansing the lepers” means rehabilitating and bringing back fully into our communities all those who, for one reason or another, are marginalized, rejected, despised, and ostracized on the basis of race, nationality, marital status, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We have to help casting out from our people the demons who possess them by means of addictions to alcohol, nicotine, drugs, pornography, sexual deviations, and the like, first by getting ourselves liberated and then helping others to get liberated from their evil addictions.

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THE BREAD OF LIFE

 Readings for Sunday, June 11, 2023

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ     

Lectionary: 167

Solennità tal-Ġisem u d-Demm Imqaddes ta’ Kristu

Reading 1                DEUTERONOMY 8:2-3, 14b-16a

Moses said to the people: "Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert, so as to test you by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention to keep his commandments. He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. "Do not forget the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery;who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its saraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers."

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tad-Dewteronomju 8:2-3,14b-16a

F’dak iż-żmien, Mosè kellem lill-poplu u qal: “Ftakar fil-mixja kollha li mexxiek il-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, matul dawn l-erbgħin sena fid-deżert, biex iċekknek u jġarrbek, ħalli jkun jaf x’għandek f’qalbek, jekk tridx toqgħod għall-kmandamenti tiegħu jew le. Huwa ċekknek, ried li tbati l-ġuħ, imbagħad temgħek il-manna, li la int u lanqas missirijietek ma kontu qatt tafu biha, biex jurik li mhux bil-ħobż biss jgħix il-bniedem, imma b’dak kollu li joħroġ minn fomm il-Mulej, b’dan jgħix il-bniedem.  Qis li ma titkabbarx qalbek u tinsa l-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, li ħarġek mill-art tal-Eġittu, mill-art tal-jasar. Hu li mexxiek fid-deżert kbir u jwaħħax, mimli sriep velenużi u skorpjuni, art niexfa bla ilma xejn, li ħariġlek l-ilma mill-blata taż-żnied, li temgħek il-manna fid-deżert, li missirijietek ma kienu jafu biha xejn”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Responsorial Psalm                PSALM 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

.

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Salm Responsorjali                Salm 146(147):12-13,14-15,19-20

℟. (12a): Sebbaħ, Ġerusalemm, lill-Mulej.

Sebbaħ, Ġerusalemm, lill-Mulej;
Hu jsaħħaħ l-istaneg tal-bibien tiegħek,
u jbierek ġewwa fik lil uliedek. 

faħħar lil Alla tiegħek, Sijon! ℟.

Hu jqiegħed fis-sliem it-trufijiet ta’ artek,
u lilek bl-aħjar qamħ ixebbgħek.
Hu jibgħat fuq l-art il-kmand tiegħu;
bil-ħeffa tiġri l-kelma tiegħu. ℟.

Hu jxandar kelmtu lil Ġakobb,
il-liġijiet u d-digrieti tiegħu lil Iżrael.
Ma għamel hekk ma’ ebda poplu;
lil ħadd ma għarraf id-digrieti tiegħu. ℟.

Reading 2                 1 CORINTHIANAS 10:16-17

Brothers and sisters: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?
The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

Qari 2                   mill-Ewwel Ittra lill-Korintin 10:16-17

Ħuti, il-kalċi mbierek li fuqu ngħidu l-barka mhuwiex għaqda mad-demm ta’ Kristu? U l-ħobż li naqsmu mhuwiex għaqda mal-ġisem ta’ Kristu? Għax la l-ħobża hi waħda, aħna, li aħna ħafna, aħna ġisem wieħed; ilkoll kemm aħna nieħdu sehem minn ħobża waħda. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

SEQUENCE — Lauda Sion
(Shorter form)

Lo! the angel's food is given
To the pilgrim who has striven;
see the children's bread from heaven,
which on dogs may not be spent.
Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing,
Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,
manna to the fathers sent.
Very bread, good shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of your love befriend us,
You refresh us, you defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.
You who all things can and know,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with your saints, though lowest,
Where the heav'nly feast you show,
Fellow heirs and guests to be. 
Amen. Alleluia.

* * *    SEKWENZA
Dan ħobż l-anġli, magħmul ikel
għall-bnedmin fit-triq tal-ħajja,
ikel bnin għall-ulied kollha,
li m’għandux fix-xejn jintrema.
Bi xbihat kien ilu mħabbar,
f’dik l-offerta ta’ Iżakk,
fil-ħaruf li nqatel fl-Għid,
u fil-manna tad-deżert.
Int ragħaj tajjeb, ħobż tassew,
Ġesù tagħna, ħenn għalina;
Int itmagħna u ħarisna:
Inti lilna l-ġid urina
fl-art imbierka tal-ħajjin.
Int li taf u tista’ kollox,
li titmagħna hawn f’dil-ħajja,
hemm agħmilna lkoll imsieħba,
f’għaqda waħda lkoll werrieta
mal-qtajjiet tal-qaddisin.
      Amen. Hallelujah.

Gospel                 JOHN 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds:  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Evanġelju                Qari skond San Ġwann 6:51-58  

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lin-nies: “Jiena hu l-ħobż il-ħaj, li niżel mis-sema. Jekk xi ħadd jiekol minn dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem. U l-ħobż li jiena nagħti huwa ġismi għall-ħajja tad-dinja”. Fuq hekk il-Lhud tlewmu bejniethom, u bdew jgħidu: “Kif jista’ dan jagħtina ġismu biex nikluh?”. Ġesù mela qalilhom: “Tassew, tassew ngħidilkom, jekk ma tiklux il-ġisem ta’ Bin il-bniedem u ma tixorbux demmu, ma jkollkomx il-ħajja fikom. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi għandu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem, u jiena nqajmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. Għax ġismi huwa tassew ikel, u demmi hu tassew xorb. Min jiekol ġismi u jixrob demmi jibqa’ fija u jiena fih. Bħalma bagħatni l-Missier, li hu ħaj, u jiena ngħix b’Missieri, hekk ukoll min jiekol lili, hu wkoll jgħix bija. Dan huwa l-ħobż li niżel mis-sema; mhuwiex bħal dak li kielu missirjietkom u mietu; min jiekol dan il-ħobż jgħix għal dejjem”. Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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A Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr. Tommy Lane  

Meet Jesus in His Real Presence in the Eucharist

We all want to meet Jesus. We want to have a closer friendship with Jesus. We want to have more of Jesus in our lives. We have come to the right place: the Eucharist. The best place to meet Jesus is in the Eucharist. If you want to be close Jesus, he tells us how in the Gospel today: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (John 6:56)

Our most intimate moment with Jesus is when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. We receive Jesus into our very bodies. We could not be closer with Jesus. We are one. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (John 6:56)  It reminds me of what we read in Genesis about man and woman becoming one in marriage: when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, we are no longer two but one, and we and Jesus are intimately united.

Jesus gave himself for you on Calvary and gives himself for you again in Holy Communion. In today’s Gospel we heard Jesus say "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6:51) 

This is really the same as what Jesus will say later during the Last Supper, "This is my body, which will be given for you". (Luke 22:19).  

In Sunday’s passage Jesus says, "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6:51)  and during the Last Supper Jesus will say "This is my body, which will be given for you". (Luke 22:19).

Jesus gave up his body for you on Calvary and gives up his body for you in every Mass so that you may receive him in Holy Communion. It is the one sacrifice on Calvary extended through time to us at Mass. Some misunderstand and think Catholics say Jesus is sacrificed again during every Mass. No, it is the one sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary which is extended through time to us in every Mass and so truly Jesus can say to you "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6:51)

"This is my body, which will be given for you" (Luke 22:19), so you and Jesus can enjoy intimacy together.

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (John 6:56)  In the Gospel passage today, Jesus is really explaining what takes place during the Last Supper and every Mass. It is another take on the Last Supper, looking at the Last Supper from another angle so that we get a fuller understanding.

But are we going too far in saying that bread really becomes the Body of Jesus? Did Jesus intend us to understand that he was speaking only in symbols and metaphors and that we should not take him literally? Or did Jesus really intend us to understand that bread becomes the Body of Jesus and wine becomes the Blood of Jesus, that transubstantiation takes place during the consecration at Mass? 

Those who were listening to Jesus knew he was not talking in symbols; they started arguing afterwards about what he had just said, “How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?” (John 6:52) It was clear to them that Jesus was talking about his flesh as bread, and it would become clear for his listeners later that he really did mean that the bread of the Eucharist becomes his flesh. Why was there no room for confusion?

We have no idea how horrifying it would have been for Jesus’ Jewish listeners to hear him talking of consuming blood. Many times the Old Testament forbade consuming blood (Lev 3:17; 7:26; 19:26) because life was in the blood (Lev 17:14). If someone consumed blood, he was to be excommunicated from the Jewish people (Lev 17:10,14). For Jesus’ listeners to hear him talking of consuming blood, it would have been so horrifying that they could not make the mistake of thinking that he was talking only in symbols. Jesus is leading his listeners from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. 

In the Old Covenant, the supreme dwelling place of God on earth was in the temple in Jerusalem, but in the New Covenant God is with us in Jesus anytime we celebrate the Eucharist and Jesus gives himself to us in the bread and wine changed into his Body and Blood during Mass. In the Old Covenant, God fed his people with manna when they were wandering in the desert as we heard in our first reading (Deut 8), but in the New Covenant Jesus feeds us with his own Body and Blood through his Real Presence in the Eucharist.

When we read what Jesus said in the original language of the Gospel, Greek, we see that what Jesus said was very strong. In the original language, Jesus didn’t just say “eat my flesh” (φαγειν) but something much stronger like “chew on my flesh”  or “gnaw on my flesh” or “crunch my flesh with your teeth.” (τρώγειν) So in the original language of the Gospel, the last line of today’s passage reads something like this: your ancestors ate (ἒφαγον) the bread that came down from heaven and died but whoever gnaws and crunches (τρώγειν) on this bread will live forever. Reading the Gospel in its original language leaves no room for confusion, Jesus really did intend us to understand that the bread of the Eucharist is his flesh. Jesus really is present in the Eucharist; the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus.

We all want to meet Jesus. We want to have a closer friendship with Jesus. We want to have more of Jesus in our lives. We have come to the right place: the Eucharist. The best place to meet Jesus is in the Eucharist. Each time before we receive Jesus in the Eucharist we want to be as pure as possible. If you want to be close with Jesus he tells us how: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (John 6:56)                                           

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THE LOVE OF GOD

Readings for Sunday, June 4, 2023

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Lectionary: 164

Solennità tat-Trinità Qaddisa

Il-Ħadd wara Għid il-Ħamsin

Reading 1                EXODUS 34:4b-6, 8-9

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."

Qari 1                 mill-Ktieb tal-Eżodu 34:4b-6,8-9

F’dak iż-żmien, Mosè qam filgħodu kmieni, u tala’ fuq il-muntanja tas-Sinaj, kif kien ordnalu l-Mulej, u ħa f’idejh iż-żewġ twavel tal-ġebel. Imbagħad il-Mulej niżel fi sħaba u waqaf hemm maġenbu; u xandar l-isem tal-Mulej. U l-Mulej għadda minn quddiemu u għajjat: “Jaħweh! Jaħweh! Alla li jagħder u jħenn; tqil biex jagħdab u kbir fit-tjieba u fil-fedeltà”. Mosè minnufih inxteħet għal wiċċu fl-art, ta qima u qal: “Jekk jien tassew sibt ħniena quddiemek, Sidi, ħa jiġi Sidi ġo nofsna, nitolbok; għax dan hu poplu rasu iebsa. Aħfrilna ħżunitna u ħtijietna, u ħudna b’wirt għalik”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. 

Responsorial Psalm               DANIEL 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever! 

Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Salm Responsorjali                   Daniel 3:52,53,54,55,56

℟. (52b): Ta’ min ifaħħrek u jgħollik fuq kollox għal dejjem.

Imbierek int, Mulej, 
Alla ta’ missirijietna. ℟.

Imbierek ismek, 
qaddis u msebbaħ. ℟.

Imbierek int fit-tempju tas-sebħ 
imqaddes tiegħek. ℟.

Imbierek int li qiegħed fuq il-kerubini, 
li ħarstek tinfed l-abbissi. ℟.

Imbierek int fuq it-tron ta’ saltnatek. ℟.

Imbierek int fil-wisa’ kollu tas-sema. ℟.

Reading 2                2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13

Brothers and sisters, rejoice.  Mend your ways, encourage one another,  agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 

Qari 2                   Għeluq tat-Tieni Ittra lill-Korintin 13:11-13

Ħuti, ifirħu, ħabirku għall-perfezzjoni, isimgħu milli wieħed jgħidilkom, kunu ta’ fehma waħda, żommu s-sliem, u Alla tal-imħabba u s-sliem ikun magħkom. Sellmu lil xulxin b’bewsa qaddisa. Il-qaddisin kollha jsellmulkom. Il-grazzja ta’ Sidna Ġesù Kristu, l-imħabba ta’ Alla u l-għaqda fl-Ispirtu s-Santu jkunu magħkom ilkoll.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

Gospel               JOHN 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish  but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,  but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Evanġelju                 Qari skond San Ġwann 3:16-18 

F’dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lil Nikodemu: “Alla hekk ħabb lid-dinja li ta lil Ibnu l-waħdieni, biex kull min jemmen fih ma jintilifx, iżda jkollu l-ħajja ta’ dejjem. Għax Alla ma bagħatx lil Ibnu fid-dinja biex jagħmel ħaqq mid-dinja, imma biex id-dinja ssalva permezz tiegħu. Min jemmen fih ma jkunx ikkundannat; iżda min ma jemminx huwa ġa kkundannat, għax ma emminx fl-isem tal-Iben il-waħdieni ta’ Alla”.  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej.

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An 8-minute Reflection on Sunday's Readings by Fr Anthony Kadavil 

A BASIC DOCTRINE OF FAITH   

Introduction: 

The mystery of the most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Our mind cannot grasp this doctrine which teaches that 1+1+1 = 1 and not 3. But we believe in this Mystery because Jesus, Who is God, taught it clearly, the Evangelists recorded it, the Fathers of the Church tried to explain it, and the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople defined it as a dogma of Christian Faith. 

    Importance of Holy Trinity in Christian life: 

1) All prayers in the Church begin in the Name of the Holy Trinity and end glorifying the Trinity. 

2) All Sacraments are administered (we are baptised, confirmed, anointed, our sins are forgiven, our marriage is blessed, and our Bishops, priests and deacons are ordained) in the name of the Holy Trinity. 

3) When Church bells ring thrice daily, they remind us to give glory to the Holy Trinity for the Incarnation of Jesus and His Redemption of all of us. 

4) We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

    Biblical basis: 

There are only vague and hidden references to the Trinity in the Old Testament. But the New Testament gives clear teachings on the Holy Trinity.

1) At the Annunciation, God the Father sends His angel to Mary, God the Holy Spirit comes upon her, the Power of the Most High overshadows her, and God the Son becomes Incarnate in her womb.

2) At the baptism of Jesus, when the Son receives baptism from John the Baptist, the Father’s Voice is heard, and the Holy Spirit appears as a Dove and descends upon Jesus.

3) At the Ascension, Jesus gives the missionary command to his disciples to baptize those who believe, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

4) John’s account: In John’s Gospel, chapters 15–18, we have a detailed account of Jesus’ teaching of the role of each Person of the Holy Trinity: a) God the Father creates and provides for His creatures. b) God the Son redeems us and reconciles us with God. c) God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, strengthens us, teaches us, and guides us to God.

Life messages: 

1) Let us respect ourselves and others because everyone is the temple of the Holy Spirit where all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity abide.

2) Let us have the firm conviction that the Trinitarian God abides in us, that He is the Source of our hope, courage and strength, and that He is our final destination.

3) Let us practice the Trinitarian relationship of love and unity in the family relationships of father, mother, and children because by Baptism we become children of God and members of God’s Trinitarian family.

4) Let us practice the I–God–my neighbor vertical and horizontal Trinitarian relationships in this life by loving God.

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